Motor Grader Snow Plow Tracking System for Obstacle Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor graders face challenges during snow plowing in reduced visibility conditions, as operators struggle to detect obstacles buried under snow or obscured by poor visibility, which can lead to damage from unseen snow blades.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system integrated with GPS and a monitor that allows operators to prerecord obstacle locations and paths, providing visual and auditory guidance to maintain alignment with desired paths and avoid obstacles during snow plowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the snow blade is kept low to maximize snow plowing coverage, then productivity is improved, but the risk of striking buried obstacles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by recording obstacle locations during a first pass through the area before actual snow plowing operations begin. This advance mapping of obstacle positions allows the operator to plan the snow plowing path in advance, raising the snow blade when obstacles are detected, thus avoiding collisions while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback to the operator through visual displays showing the recorded obstacle locations and the motor grader's current position relative to these obstacles. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustment of snow blade height based on detected obstacle proximity, allowing the operator to maintain low blade positions for productivity while avoiding buried obstacles through informed decision-making.
2Ease of operation
If the operator relies on visual detection of obstacles, then ease of operation is maintained, but detection capability deteriorates in reduced visibility conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary technology - the GPS-based obstacle recording and display system - that mediates between the operator and the environment. Instead of relying solely on direct visual detection, the system uses GPS satellites to record obstacle positions and presents this information through visual displays, enabling obstacle detection in reduced visibility conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/visual detection method with an electronic/GPS-based system. Instead of relying on the operator's eyes and manual observation, the system uses GPS satellites to detect and record obstacle positions, then displays this information electronically. This substitution enables reliable obstacle detection in low-visibility conditions while keeping the operation simple through automated electronic guidance.
3Reliability
If the snow blade is raised to avoid obstacles, then obstacle avoidance is improved, but snow plowing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary obstacle location recording during a first pass, creating a database of obstacle positions before actual snow plowing begins. This advance preparation allows the operator to maintain low snow blade positions during normal plowing operations for maximum efficiency, while only raising the blade when approaching recorded obstacle locations, thus balancing productivity with reliable obstacle avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides continuous feedback showing the relationship between the motor grader's current position and recorded obstacle locations. This feedback enables the operator to maintain optimal snow blade positions for efficient plowing while automatically adjusting blade height when obstacles are detected, maximizing both productivity and obstacle avoidance by making informed, real-time decisions based on recorded obstacle data.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor grader includes a tracking system indicating the location of the motor grader relative to a desired snow plowing path. The tracking system may also indicate the location of prerecorded obstacles along the desired snow plowing path.